SAA Native American Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Society for American Archaeology
Introduction and history
The Native American Scholarships Endowment Fund was created in 1988 to promote cooperative relationships and constructive engagement between archaeologists and Indigenous communities. Beginning in 1998, the fund’s earnings have been used to underwrite the Arthur C. Parker Scholarship. In 2009, two additional scholarships were added to provide support for undergraduate and graduate archaeological study.
Sources of support
Scholarship monies are generated through private donations, proceeds from a silent auction held at the SAA Annual Meeting, and outside grants.
Available awards
1) SAA Arthur C. Parker Scholarship for Archaeological Training for Native Americans
- Purpose: To support archaeological training for Native American students and employees of tribal, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian cultural preservation programs.
- Eligible activities: Any form of archaeological training (not restricted to field schools).
- Amount: Up to $6,000.
- Number of awards: 1.
- Historical note: Arthur C. Parker (1881–1955).
2) SAA Native American Undergraduate Archaeology Scholarship
- Purpose: To assist undergraduate students pursuing archaeology.
- Allowable uses: Tuition, travel, food, housing, books and supplies, equipment, dependent care, medical costs, archival research expenses, and laboratory/analysis costs.
- Amount: Up to $6,000.
- Number of awards: 1.
3) SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship
- Purpose: To support graduate-level archaeological study.
- Allowable uses: Tuition, travel, food, housing, books and supplies, equipment, dependent care, medical costs, archival research expenses, and laboratory/analysis costs.
- Amount: Up to $10,000.
- Number of awards: 1.
4) Bertha Parker Cody Award for Native American Women
- Purpose: To support Native women (undergraduate and graduate) studying archaeology or museum studies.
- Allowable uses: Tuition, travel, food, housing, books and supplies, equipment, and childcare.
- Eligibility: Open to Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women, inclusive of gender non-conforming individuals.
- Funding note: Partially supported by the Autry Museum of the American West.
- Amount: Up to $6,000.
- Number of awards: 1.
- Historical note: Bertha Parker Cody (1907–1978).
Eligibility
Applicants must be Indigenous persons from the Americas, including:
- Native peoples from anywhere in the Americas,
- Alaska Natives,
- Native Hawaiians,
- Indigenous Pacific Islanders.
Some awards have additional, specific eligibility criteria as noted above.
How to apply
You may submit your application in one of two ways:
- Online: Complete and submit the Google Form.
- By email: Download the Word application, fill it out, and email it with all supporting materials to nasf@saa.org.
Required application materials
All applicants must provide:
- Application form (either the Google Form submission or the downloaded Word form).
- Two letters of recommendation, one of which must come from a current SAA member in good standing.
- Personal statement (maximum two pages) describing your interest in archaeology or museum studies and how you plan to contribute to the field or your community.
- Itemized budget (use the downloadable template) explaining financial need and how the award funds will be used.
- Proof of Indigenous identity, such as a Tribal enrollment card, an official tribal council or band office letter, a birth certificate, or a clear written statement documenting ancestry/genealogy.
Conditions prior to award finalization
Before funds are distributed, recipients will be required to confirm that:
- They have not been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that produced an adverse finding.
- They are not subject to any current or pending disciplinary action from the Register of Professional Archaeologists (for example, suspension or termination of registration).
For questions or to request forms, email nasf@saa.org.